Thursday, November 06, 2003
A new prayer for Parliament
Progressive MP Matt Robson must feel terribly upset that no-one has responded to his call for a new prayer for Parliament, to replace the Christian prayer that he feels does not belong in this multicultural age.
So to help him out, I propose the following:
“To whom it may concern :
Agreeing that from time to time we need a bit of help from outside, we ask for the occasional “ah hah!� experience to reassure us that god (however we may conceive her to be) has not abandoned us completely. For the rest of the time, may our collective wisdom guide us in our decisions, as in diversity we trust.
Help those on the opposition benches to lay aside all private and personal interests, so that we may conduct the affairs of this House and our country to the best of our ability.
May integrity reign in all we do, and may those without integrity be exposed in time for the six o’clock news.
In the name of true tolerance, expose and humiliate the religious fundamentalists who would try to obstruct correct governance and impose their will on this nation.
Wishing for justice, a quiet exit of the monarchy, a growing public welfare system, peace and tranquillity, we lift up diversity, through which no truth beyond party dogma can claim itself superior,
A-person�
Note: The current (outdated) prayer reads: “Almighty God, humbly acknowledging our need for Thy guidance in all things, and laying aside all private and personal interests, we beseech Thee to grant that we may conduct the affairs of this House and of our country to the glory of Thy holy name, the maintenance of true religion and justice, the honour of the Queen, and the public welfare, peace, and tranquillity of New Zealand, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Progressive MP Matt Robson must feel terribly upset that no-one has responded to his call for a new prayer for Parliament, to replace the Christian prayer that he feels does not belong in this multicultural age.
So to help him out, I propose the following:
“To whom it may concern :
Agreeing that from time to time we need a bit of help from outside, we ask for the occasional “ah hah!� experience to reassure us that god (however we may conceive her to be) has not abandoned us completely. For the rest of the time, may our collective wisdom guide us in our decisions, as in diversity we trust.
Help those on the opposition benches to lay aside all private and personal interests, so that we may conduct the affairs of this House and our country to the best of our ability.
May integrity reign in all we do, and may those without integrity be exposed in time for the six o’clock news.
In the name of true tolerance, expose and humiliate the religious fundamentalists who would try to obstruct correct governance and impose their will on this nation.
Wishing for justice, a quiet exit of the monarchy, a growing public welfare system, peace and tranquillity, we lift up diversity, through which no truth beyond party dogma can claim itself superior,
A-person�
Note: The current (outdated) prayer reads: “Almighty God, humbly acknowledging our need for Thy guidance in all things, and laying aside all private and personal interests, we beseech Thee to grant that we may conduct the affairs of this House and of our country to the glory of Thy holy name, the maintenance of true religion and justice, the honour of the Queen, and the public welfare, peace, and tranquillity of New Zealand, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
